System and method for multi-modal dosing device

ABSTRACT

Provided is a system and method for multi-modal dosing of a product. The system provides a control base for coupling to one of a plurality of different cartridges containing product, at least two cartridges having different modalities of delivery—the coupled control base and selected cartridge providing a dosing device. Each cartridge has at least a unique identifier, which may be read by the control base and correlated through a database to confirm that the user is authorized to use the cartridge, and use of the cartridge for a dose of product will not conflict with other products received by the user and known to the system. Cartridges that are not coupled to the control base are non-functional and cannot dispense product as intended with the system. An associated method of use is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/726,204 filed Dec. 23, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, entitledSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-MODAL DOSING DEVICE and incorporated byreference. This continuing application claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/726,204 which in turn claimed the benefit under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/787,650filed Jan. 2, 2019 and entitled MEDICINAL DOSING DEVICE AND SYSTEM, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the following patent applications are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties: U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/660,974 entitled SMART VAPORIZER AND SYSTEM FOR CONCENTRATE PRODUCTS(hereinafter “'974 App”), U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/721,699entitled VAPORIZER CARTRIDGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE (hereinafter “'699App”), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/541,062 entitled SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR VAPORIZING CARTRIDGE SYSTEM WITH DIFFUSER (hereinafter “'062App”), and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 16/559,556 entitled SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN APPROPRIATE DOSE OF A PRODUCT (hereinafter“'556 App”).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for amedicinal dosing device structured and arranged so as to permit avariety of different modalities for providing a dose of a given productto a user. The product is generally understood to be a medicament orpharmaceutical compound, and the variety of different modalitiesinclude, but are not limited to: inhalation, spray, pill or tablet,dropper, dissolvable strip, injection, nebulizer, and/or transdermal gelor ointment. In particular, the present invention presents a system andmethod for the precise dosing of a product by providing a plurality ofdifferent multi dose cartridges structured and arranged for differentdelivery modalities, the cartridges safe and nonfunctional unlesscoupled to a control base which is configured to recognize the type ofproduct within the cartridge and control the dosing of the product to aperson.

BACKGROUND

Mendicant products may be provided in a variety of differentforms—topical spray, topical gel or ointment for absorption through theskin, pills or tablets, dissolvable strips, mist, and vapor, just toname a few. Indeed, the same product may even be available in a varietyof different forms permitting a person to select the modality ofdelivery that he or she finds most effective. Moreover, one person mayprefer to swallow a pill while another may prefer an inhalant, while yetanother prefers a topical ointment.

Because different delivery modalities may or may not involve additionaltransport agents—i.e. an oil, cream, dissolvable wax, etc . . . theintended dosage of a product may vary from one modality to another.Although for some ailments, such as poison ivy rash, the issue of dosagemay not be of significant concern, this is not always the case. Indeed,with the increasing proliferation of plant based medicinal products,proper dosage is an important part of patient care for consistent andreliable treatment of a given condition or ailment. Indeed, in somecases different dosages of the same product may be appropriate fordifferent conditions or ailments—thus further emphasizing the importanceof proper product dosing for a specific condition or ailment.

Prior art delivery devices, such as vaporizing devices, have often beenconfigured with multi-dosage cartridges or reservoir systems for thevaporization and delivery of a specific compound. Some of these devicesare quite complex and involve wireless communication systems and theinteraction with other computing system to verify that a person isproperly authorized to use the product, the dosage the person shouldreceive, as well as to track their usage and even their feedbackregarding the effectiveness of the usage. But such devices are strictlyfor a given modality of delivery—i.e., inhaled vapor.

Indeed, different modalities for delivery have traditionally requiredmodality specific devices—a pump or squeezable tube for an ointment, avaporizer, a nebulizer, a pill dispenser, etc . . . . For a person whomay have a variety of different ailments or conditions, and thereforedesiring different delivery modalities, a plurality of different devicescan be both cumbersome and confusing. Further, some devices—such asvaporizers, may be very sophisticated and able to track and adjustdosage, while others may not.

As different devices may be provided by different entities, the methodsof hardware and/or software control may vary widely. Further, for smartdevices that strive to help manage dosage, devices from differentproviders may require a user to have multiple accounts, and informationin one account may not be shared with another—again permitting theopportunity for inconstant dosing.

Some devices may permit adjustment to the dosage amount, while otherdevices may not, and still other devices may have no actual dosagecontrol—relying on the person to measure or otherwise assess how much ofthe product has been dispensed.

Indeed, in some cases for some delivery modalities there may be littleif any dosage control leading to both inconsistent administration aswell as the possibility for use by unintended persons.

Moreover, a person may have a number of different devices providing thesame or different products in a variety of different deliveryformats—vapor, tablet, spray, cream, etc . . . , but have little or noidea as to the remaining dosages left in some devices, and/or aneffective way to manage his or her dosing administration. Further, acare giver may have no easy or immediate way to review the dosinghistory across a plurality of different devices for adjustment orconfirmation of treatment.

Hence there is a need for a method and system that is capable ofovercoming one or more of the above identified challenges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Our invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing novelsystems and methods to provide controlled dosage delivery across aplurality of delivery modalities.

In particular, and by way of example only, according to at least oneembodiment, provided is a multi-modal product dosing system, including:a dosing device provided by temporarily engaging one of a plurality ofcartridges to a control base, at least two cartridges having differentmodality of delivery; the control base characterized by: a housing atleast partially enclosing: a cartridge receiver structured and arrangedto temporarily engage one of the plurality of different cartridges; acartridge reader structured and arranged to read identificationinformation from the cartridge; a wireless transceiver structured andarranged for wireless communication with at least one remote computingdevice; at least one lockout deactivator structured and arranged todisengage at least one lockout mechanism of the cartridge received bythe cartridge receiver; a controller structured and arranged to: receivecartridge information from the cartridge reader; detect a dosing event;and communicate, by wireless transceiver, the cartridge information andeach detected dosing event to the at least one remote computing device;each of the plurality of cartridges characterized by: a housing at leastpartially enclosing: a reservoir of product; a dispenser structured andarranged to dispense a predetermined amount of product by apredetermined modality of delivery; a count trigger structured andarranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of the product; atleast one data chip structured and arranged to store data regarding thecartridge; a unique identifier associated with the cartridge and theproduct, the unique identifier structured and arranged to be determinedby the control base; and at least one lockout structured and arranged tolockout the dispenser, the at least one lockout disengaged by thecontrol base while the cartridge is temporarily engaged to the controlbase.

In yet another embodiment, provided is a system for a multi-modalproduct dosing system, including: a cartridge characterized by: ahousing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir of product; adispenser structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amount ofproduct by a predetermined modality of delivery; a count triggerstructured and arranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of theproduct; at least one data chip structured and arranged to store dataregarding the cartridge; a unique identifier associated with thecartridge and the product, the unique identifier structured and arrangedto be determined by a control base; at least one lockout structured andarranged to lockout the dispenser, the at least one lockout disengagedby the control base while the cartridge is temporarily engaged to thecontrol base; wherein the cartridge is temporarily engaged by thecontrol base characterized by: a housing at least partially enclosing: acartridge receiver structured and arranged to temporarily engage one ofa plurality of different cartridges, at least two cartridges havingdifferent modality of delivery; a cartridge reader structured andarranged to read identification information from the cartridge; awireless transceiver structured and arranged for wireless communicationwith at least one remote computing device; at least one lockoutdeactivator structured and arranged to disengage the at least onelockout mechanism of the cartridge received by the cartridge receiver; acontroller structured and arranged to: receive cartridge informationfrom the cartridge reader; detect a dosing event; and communicate, bywireless transceiver, the cartridge information and each detected dosingevent to the at least one remote computing device.

For yet another embodiment, provided is a system for a multi-modalproduct dosing system, including: a cartridge characterized by: ahousing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir of product; adispenser structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amount ofproduct by a predetermined modality of delivery; a count triggerstructured and arranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of theproduct; at least one data chip structured and arranged to store dataregarding the cartridge; a unique identifier associated with thecartridge and the product, the unique identifier structured and arrangedto be determined by a control base; and at least one lockout structuredand arranged to lockout the dispenser, the at least one lockoutdisengaged by the control base while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base.

Further, for another embodiment, provided is a method for multi-modalproduct dosing, including: providing a control base characterized by: ahousing at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiver structuredand arranged to temporarily engage one of the plurality of differentcartridges; a cartridge reader structured and arranged to readidentification information from the cartridge; a wireless transceiverstructured and arranged for wireless communication with at least oneremote computing device; at least one lockout deactivator structured andarranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanism of the cartridgereceived by the cartridge receiver; a controller structured and arrangedto: receive cartridge information from the cartridge reader; detect adosing event; and communicate, by wireless transceiver, the cartridgeinformation and each detected dosing event to the at least one remotecomputing device; providing a plurality of cartridges, at least twocartridges having different modality of delivery, each cartridgecharacterized by: a housing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir ofproduct; a dispenser structured and arranged to dispense a predeterminedamount of product by a predetermined modality of delivery; a counttrigger structured and arranged to indicate each instance ofdispensation of the product; at least one data chip structured andarranged to store data regarding the cartridge; a unique identifierassociated with the cartridge and the product, the unique identifierstructured and arranged to be determined by the control base; at leastone lockout structured and arranged to lockout the dispenser, the atleast one lockout disengaged by the control base while the cartridge istemporarily engaged to the control base; determining the uniqueidentifier associated with the cartridge upon a selected cartridge beingtemporarily engaged with the control base; and providing operationalsettings to the control base for the control of the dispenser inresponse to the determined unique identifier.

Still for another embodiment, provided is a multi-modal product dosingsystem, characterized by a control base coupled to one of a plurality ofcartridges, at least two cartridges having different modality ofdelivery, the control base including: a housing at least partiallyenclosing: a cartridge receiver structured and arranged to temporarilyengage one of the plurality of different cartridges; a cartridge readerstructured and arranged to read identification information from thecartridge; a wireless transceiver structured and arranged for wirelesscommunication with at least one remote computing device; at least onelockout deactivator structured and arranged to disengage at least onelockout mechanism of the cartridge received by the cartridge receiver;and a controller structured and arranged to: receive cartridgeinformation from the cartridge reader; detect a dosing event; andcommunicate, by wireless transceiver, the cartridge information and eachdetected dosing event to the at least one remote computing device;wherein each of the plurality of cartridges is characterized by: ahousing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir of product; adispenser structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amount ofproduct; a count trigger structured and arranged to indicate eachinstance of dispensation of the product; at least one data chipstructured and arranged to store data regarding the cartridge; a uniqueidentifier associated with the cartridge and the product, the uniqueidentifier structured and arranged to be determined by the control base;and at least one lockout structured and arranged to lockout thedispenser, the at least one lockout disengaged by the control base whilethe cartridge is temporarily engaged to the control base.

For yet another embodiment, provided is a multi-modal product dosingsystem, characterized by a control base coupled to one of a plurality ofcartridges, at least two cartridges having different modality ofdelivery, the control base including: a portable housing at leastpartially enclosing: a cartridge receiver structured and arranged totemporarily engage one of a plurality of different cartridges, at leasttwo cartridges structured and arranged for different modalities ofdelivery for a product contained therein; a cartridge reader structuredand arranged to read identification information from the cartridge; awireless transceiver structured and arranged for wireless communicationwith at least one remote computing device; at least one lockoutdeactivator structured and arranged to disengage at least one lockoutmechanism of the cartridge received by the cartridge receiver; acontroller structured and arranged to: receive cartridge informationfrom the cartridge reader; detect a dosing event; and communicate, bywireless transceiver, the cartridge information and each detected dosingevent to the at least one remote computing device.

For yet still another embodiment, provided is a multi-modal productdosing system, characterized by a control base coupled to one of aplurality of cartridges, at least two cartridges having differentmodality of delivery, including: a control base characterized by; aportable housing at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiverstructured and arranged to temporarily engage one of a plurality ofdifferent cartridges, at least two cartridges structured and arrangedfor different modalities of delivery for a product contained therein; acartridge reader structured and arranged to read identificationinformation from the cartridge; a wireless transceiver structured andarranged for wireless communication with at least one remote computingdevice; at least one lockout deactivator structured and arranged todisengage at least one lockout mechanism of the cartridge received bythe cartridge receiver; a controller structured and arranged to: receivecartridge information from the cartridge reader; detect a dosing event;and communicate, by wireless transceiver, the cartridge information andeach detected dosing event to the at least one remote computing device;at last one database provided by at least one of the remote computingdevices, the database further comprising; user data for each user knownto the database; control base data for each control base as related toat least one user known to the database; and product data correlated toone or more unique identifiers known to the database, the uniqueidentifiers further correlated to one or more cartridge, the databasepermitting correlation of user data to control base data and productdata to permit tracking of each product by each user and the productprovided by each cartridge; wherein the database further provides atleast one operation to add a new user and/or product data to thedatabase.

And for yet another embodiment, provided is a method for multi-modalproduct dosing system, characterized by a control base coupled to one ofa plurality of cartridges, at least two cartridges having differentmodality of delivery, including: providing a control base characterizedby: a housing at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiverstructured and arranged to temporarily engage one of the plurality ofdifferent cartridges, at least two cartridges having different modalityof delivery; a cartridge reader structured and arranged to readidentification information from the cartridge; a wireless transceiverstructured and arranged for wireless communication with at least oneremote computing device; at least one lockout deactivator structured andarranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanism of the cartridgereceived by the cartridge receiver; a controller structured and arrangedto: receive cartridge information from the cartridge reader; detect adosing event; and communicate, by wireless transceiver, the cartridgeinformation and each detected dosing event to the at least one remotecomputing device; receiving by the control base a selected cartridgehaving; a housing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir of product;a dispenser structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amountof product by a predetermined modality of delivery; a count triggerstructured and arranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of theproduct; at least one data chip structured and arranged to store dataregarding the cartridge; a unique identifier associated with thecartridge and the product, the unique identifier structured and arrangedto be determined by the control base; at least one lockout structuredand arranged to lockout the dispenser, the at least one lockoutdisengaged by the control base while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base; determining the unique identifierassociated with the cartridge; transmitting the unique identifier to theremote computing device, the remote computing device querying datarecords to identify the cartridge and the product contained in thereservoir; transmitting to the controller at least one operationalsetting to activate the lockout deactivator; and transmitting to theremote computing device a confirmation that a dosage of product has beenadministered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS

FIG. 1 illustrates a high-level diagram of a system for multi-modaldosing in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2G illustrates the control base and optional cartridges whichwhen coupled provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates an inhaler cartridge to be coupled with acontrol base to provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrates a cartridge incorporating cycloidal gearassembly and metered dose delivery system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrates a pump cartridge to be coupled with a controlbase to provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates a pill cartridge to be coupled with a controlbase to provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrates a strip cartridge to be coupled with a controlbase to provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an injection cartridge to be coupled with a controlbase to provide a dosing device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram for multi-modal dosing in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a high level block diagram of a computer system in accordancewith at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciatedthat the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation.The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with aspecific system or method for multi-modal dosing of a product. Thus,although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenienceof explanation shown and described with respect to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that the principlesherein may be applied equally in other types of systems and methods formulti-modal dosing of a product as well.

This invention is described with respect to preferred embodiments in thefollowing description with reference to the Figures, in which likenumbers represent the same or similar elements. Further, with therespect to the numbering of the same or similar elements, it will beappreciated that the leading values identify the Figure in which theelement is first identified and described, e.g., element 100 firstappears in FIG. 1.

Various embodiments presented herein are descriptive of apparatus,systems, articles of manufacturer, or the like for systems and methodsfor multi-modal dosing. In some embodiments, an interface, applicationbrowser, window or the like may be provided that allows the user of thecomputing device to direct behavior of the computing device.

Moreover, some portions of the detailed description that follows arepresented in terms of the manipulation and processing of data bitswithin a computer memory. The steps involved with such manipulation arethose requiring the manipulation of physical quantities. Generally,though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical ormagnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,compared and otherwise manipulated. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that these signals are commonly referred to as bits, values,element numbers or other clearly identifiable components.

It is of course understood and appreciated that all of these terms areassociated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels applied to these physical quantities. Moreover, it isappreciated that throughout the following description, the use of termssuch as “processing” or “evaluating” or “receiving” or “outputting” orthe like, refer to the action and processor of a computer system orsimilar electronic computing device that manipulates and transforms thedata represented as physical (electrical) quantities within the computersystem's memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system's memories.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing theoperations herein described. This apparatus may be specificallystructured for the required purposes as are further described below, orthe apparatus may be a general purpose computer selectively adapted orreconfigured by one or more computer programs stored in the computerupon computer readable storage medium suitable for storing electronicinstructions.

To further assist in the following description, the following definedterms are provided.

“User”—typically a person or at the very least a computing device usedby a person who is known to the dosing system, or an administrationsystem that is in communication with the dosing system in the sense thathe or she has established a user account by providing a threshold ofdata, e.g. attributes, to identify themselves. Typically, it is expectedthat the users' interactions with the dosing system or the relatedadministration system will also serve to establish additional attributesabout themselves.

“Product”—a compound that may be provided as a liquid, liquidconcentrate, edible medium, inhalant, tablet, semi-solid, cream, orother form that may be consumed by a physical person. Generally, this isunderstood and appreciated to be a plant based medicinal compound.However, it is understood and appreciated that in varying embodiments, aproduct or products may also be a pharmaceutical, organic, and/orsynthetically derived compound. Further still, for yet anotherembodiment, a product may be provided as a combination of elementsselected from the group consisting of, plant, animal, mineral, organic,pharmaceutical, and synthetic compounds.

“Constituent”—an identifiable element of a plant based product, such as,but not limited to a cannabinoid and or a terpene, and various specificforms thereof including, but not limited to a cannabinoid selected fromTHC, THC-A, CBN, CBG, CBC, CBD, CBD-A, THCV, and CBDV, and a terpeneselected from Alpha-Ocimene, Beta-Ocimene, Camphene, Careen,Caryophyllene, Carophyllene oxide, Cymene, Eucalyptol, Isopulefgol,Limonene, Linalool, Myrcene, Pinene, Terpinine, Terpinolene. Moreover,for at least cannabis plant products there are known to be more than 400different chemical compounds with more than 60 identified as cannabinoidcompounds. In varying embodiments, Constituents may also be non-cannabiselements, such as but not limited to psilocybin.

“First Device”—the computing device having at least one processor thatis used by the person/User desiring a dosage of a Product for aspecified User Reason.

“Dosing System”—The computing system having at least one processor towhich users connect when requesting a dose/dosage of a product. Thedosing system maintains or at least interacts with a database ofproducts.

“Dosing Device”—the combined and operable assembly provided by aselected one of a plurality of different delivery modality cartridgescoupled to a control base, the dosing device operable to provide ametered dose of a product to a user and communicate informationregarding the dosage to a remote computing device such as the firstdevice and or dosing system.

“Control Base”—the base component of the dosing device providing power,communication and control features to permit a cartridge to be activatedto dispense a metered dose to a user. The control base wirelesslycommunicates with at first device and/or dosing system to obtain andconfigure dosing settings such as dose amount and authorization fordosage.

“Cartridge”—one of a plurality of different product dosing componentsremovably coupled by a user to a control base to provide an operabledosing device. Each cartridge provides a reservoir of product and isstructured and arranged for a specific modality of delivery fordispensing a metered dose of the product from the reservoir.Dispensation of the product being dependent upon at least the temporarycoupling of the cartridge to the control base, and/or activation of thecartridge by the control base.

“Modality of Delivery”—the method of delivery for the product, selectedto correspond with the type and nature of the product, and generallyunderstood to be selected from the group consisting of vaporization,inhalation, edible, sublingual, topical, buccal, suppository, andophthalmic.

“Database”—an indexed set of records correlating products, users,cartridges and control bases. For at least one embodiment, for eachproduct, the database further correlates one or more constituents foreach product, established reasons for which products have been used,dosages associated to reasons, and user evaluation feedback. In varyingembodiments, user data may include user account information (such asname, age, gender, address, email, phone, etc . . . ) as well as controlbases and cartridges registered to the user, prescriptions for products,doctor or provider contact information, as well as past and presentdosage quality and history. In varying embodiments, cartridge dataincludes the unique identification of each cartridge, identification ofthe product contained in the cartridge, provider of the product and/orcartridge, initial and/or remaining doses of product within thecartridge, etc . . . The database may also provide operational settingsfor the control of the cartridge and/or dispenser. Moreover, thedatabase may be one database, or a collection of differentdatabases—such as a database of users and a database of products, but isherein referred to as a single database for ease of discussion andillustration. The database may be established as a relational databaseand may be localized upon one or more computing systems in a specificlocation, or distributed such as in a cloud computing space.

With respect to the above defined terms, it is understood andappreciated that for at least one embodiment, each module or system isimplemented as a collection of independent electronic circuits packagedas a unit upon a printed circuit board or as a chip attached to acircuit board or other element of a computer so as to provide a basicfunction within a computer. In varying embodiments, one or more modulesmay also be implemented as software that adapts a computer to perform aspecific task or basic function as part of a greater whole. Furtherstill, in yet other embodiments one or more modules may be provided by amix of both software and independent electronic circuits.

To briefly summarize, provided is a system and method for multi-modaldosing of products. The system consists principally of a control base towhich a user couples a removable cartridge containing the product fordispensation. When the control base is coupled with a cartridge anoperable dosing device is fully provided. As is further described below,different cartridges provide different modalities of delivery forproduct dosage.

As the same control base is used with a plurality of differentcartridges having different modalities of delivery, the control basestreamlines and simplifies the dosage management as well as recordkeeping, authorization, feedback and such other elements as may bedesired in varying embodiments.

To facilitate dosage management and user record keeping, in general, auser has a smartphone or other portable computing device that has beenconfigured with Internet access and adapted by specific softwareinstructions to perform the specific features and benefits forcommunicating with the control base of the dosing device, and/or thedosing system in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, for at least one embodiment, the user hasan application installed upon his or her portable computing device, theapplication permitting the user to connect with a remote computingsystem, e.g. the dosing system, with which the user may have establishedan account and which can provide information regarding the product inthe cartridge coupled to the control base, as well as user history,product identity, product history, product manufacturer, dose managementsettings, constituent makeup of the product, lockout control, and suchother data as may be desired in various embodiments.

This summary may be more fully appreciated with respect to the followingdescription and accompanying figures.

Turning now to the drawings, and more specifically, FIG. 1, there isshown a high-level diagram of an embodiment of the System forMulti-modal Dosing of a Product, e.g. SMMDP 100, for users 102 having adosing device 104 provided by the coupling of a control base 106 to oneof a plurality of distinct cartridges 108.

It should be understood and appreciated, that although SMMDP 100advantageously provides for a plurality of different modalities fordelivering a dose of a product, for at least one embodiment only onecartridge 108 may be engaged with the control base 106 at any giventime. As is further described below, cartridges 108 that are not engagedwith the control base 106 are essentially inert as they arenon-functional and will not dispense product in any intended manner.

Moreover, the choice of modality for delivery is determined by theselection of different cartridges 108, the control base 106 providing aconsistent and uniform platform for selectively operating the cartridge108 to dispense the product by the modality desired by the user 102, andtracking data associated with the cartridge 106, the user 102 and thedispensed dose.

As shown, generally each user 102 also has a first computing device 110having at least one processor and an application 112. For at least oneembodiment the application 112 is substantially as the applicationdescribed in the '556 Application noted above. Each first device 110 isalso enabled for network communications 114, such as by wireless networkcommunication. Further still, each first device 110 also has a locationdetermining ability, such as GPS.

For the present example, each first device 110 has been illustrated as awireless smart phone, but may alternatively be comprised of a portablecomputer or data assistant device that is capable of portable wirelesscommunication using WiFi networks, wireless network access points,cellular networks, GPS transmissions, and or other such technologies.Moreover, for at least one embodiment, each first device 110 is a smartphone device such as, but not limited to the Apple Computers iPhone® orSamsung Android® device.

For at least one embodiment, each dosing device 104 is operable whenassembled as a stand-alone device—which is to say that the dosing device104 is operable without interaction with one or more remote computingdevices, such as a first computing device 110, in the possession of auser 102, or a remote computing system 116 providing a database 118,such as a dosing system 120 as described in the '556 Application notedabove.

For yet another embodiment, each dosing device 104 achieves an enhancedoperating state when interacting with one or more remote computingdevices, such as a first computing device 110 and/or a remote dosingsystem 120.

Moreover, at least one advantageous aspect of SMMDP 100 relates to themonitoring and control of user dosage across the usage of one or morecartridges 108. Such monitoring and control is advantageouslyfacilitated by the use of a dosing system 120 having at least onedatabase 118 having user data 122 for each user known to the dosingsystem 120/database 118, control base data 124 for each control base 106as related to each user 102, cartridge data 126 and product data 128correlating to one or more unique identifiers to identify products knownto the dosing system 120, the unique identity of each cartridge 108(including for at least one embodiment the modality of delivery andproduct provided by the cartridge), and such other information as may bedesired.

Moreover, although cartridge data 126 and control base data 124 havebeen illustrated simply as identification values, it is understood andappreciated that these categories, and indeed all data categories can beadapted in varying embodiments to provide additional details/data as maybe desired.

For ease of illustration in FIG. 1, the user data 122 has been shownseparately from the database 118 which has been illustrated primarilywith respect to products and various data elements associated therewith.Indeed, in varying embodiments there may be one unified database thatprovides all or substantially all of the data relevant for SMMDP 100, oras shown data components such as product data and user data may bedivided into separate databases, which may in turn be further providedby different physical computer systems.

It is to be understood and appreciated that the dosing system 120 is aremote system, meaning that it is physically distinct from the firstdevices 110. Similarly, the database 118, whether a component of thedosing system 120 or another system in communication with the dosingsystem 120 is distinct and separate from the first devices 110.

Moreover, the dosing system 120 is provided by at least one physicalcomputer system 130 (including at least one microprocessor, memory, I/Odevice(s) and the like) that is adapted by hardware or software toprovide dosing system 120. For an embodiment where the database 118 is aseparate system from the dosing system 120 132, the database 118 is alsounderstood and appreciated to be provided by at least one physicalcomputer system (including at least one microprocessor, memory, I/Odevice(s) and the like) that is adapted by hardware or software toprovide database 118.

In varying embodiments, one or more of the elements of SMMDP 100 may bedirectly connected to one another, if not integrated with each other,but it is understood and appreciated that in most instances theincorporation of the Internet 132 as a common means of communication andinformation exchange is within the scope of the present invention.

It is also to be understood and appreciated that the elements of theSMMDP 100 need not maintain continual communication links 114—be theyphysical wire or wireless links. In other words, users 102 may log on oroff, and thus establish a link to dosing system 120. Likewise, thedosing system 120, the database 118, and such other network systemsand/or devices may be in intermittent connection—connecting when and asnecessary for the intended operation of SMMDP 100.

In varying embodiments, the plurality of cartridges 108 may be selectedfrom, but not exclusively limited to, an inhaler carriage, a spraycartridge, a strip delivery cartridge, a gel cartridge, a lotioncartridge, a tablet cartridge, or an injection cartridge. Moreover,different modalities of delivery provide different options for rate ofdelivery, general vs. targeted delivery, and user comfort duringdelivery.

For the present example shown in FIG. 1, cartridge 108′ is an inhalercartridge, cartridge 108″ is a tablet cartridge, cartridge 108″′ is astrip cartridge, and cartridge 108″″ is a spray cartridge.

As inhaled vapor is dissipated into the lungs, the product can enter theblood stream more quickly than may be achieved through a swallowedtablet, or topically applied oil or lotion. Alternatively, a pill,tablet or dermal patch may be desired for time release, while a spray,cream or ointment may be desired for location specific application. Anoral spray, eye drop or dissolvable strip may be desired by users whohave difficulty with swallowing pills. And injection may be mostsuitable blood system dispersal or subdural tissue treatment.

An inhaler cartridge 108 is understood and appreciated to provide a doseof product in an inhalant form. Such inhaler cartridges may be providedas vaporizing cartridges wherein a metered dose of the product isvaporized by heat, into a mist suitable for inhalation by a user. Aninhaler cartridge may also be provided as a nebulizer which atomizesliquid product into an inhalable gas form, such as by ultrasonicvibration. An inhaler cartridge may also provide a metered dose ofproduct in the form of a fine powder typically disposed into an air flowpassage through which a user sucks in air and the dispensed powder. Andfurther, an inhaler cartridge may provide the product in the form of acompressed gas, dispensed in metered bursts to a user. It is furtherunderstood and appreciated that inhaler cartridges may provide metereddosage to a user by mouth and/or nose.

For each method of delivery modality, it is to be understood andappreciated that each cartridge 108 is structured and arranged toprovide a metered dosage of product—in other words a specifically knownquantity of product. For at least one embodiment, some cartridges 108 ofSMMDP 100 may be adjusted such that the known dosage may be varied bythe user 102, the application adapting the first computing device 110,and/or the dosing system 120. In all cases, dispensation of a metereddosage by any delivery modality permitted by a cartridge 108 isdependent upon the cartridge being properly coupled to the control base106.

For the present example there are shown a plurality of users 102, ofwhich users 102A 102B, and 102C are exemplary. Each user 102A, 102B,102C, has a dosing device 104A, 104B, 104C consisting of a control base106A, 106B, 106C and at least one cartridge 108A, 108B, 108C. As shown,each user 102 has a plurality of different cartridges 108, and as suchis afforded an option of selecting different delivery modalities or theproduct provided by each cartridge 108.

Exemplary dosing device 104 may be more fully appreciated with respectto FIGS. 2A-2E. Moreover, FIG. 2A is a tilted perspective view showingthe bottom of control base 106 and the bottom of cartridge 108, FIG. 2Bis a top perspective view showing the top of control base 106 and thetop of cartridge 108, and FIG. 2C shows the assembled dosing device 104,the cartridge 108 and control base 106 as shown in FIG. 2B now engaged.

The control base 106 has a housing 200 which may further provide buttons202 and or lights 204 as well as other display components. For at leastone embodiment, the base 206 of the control base 106 provides a port 208that may be used for recharging an internal power supply, and orproviding new firmware to the electrical and computing components withinthe housing 200. Opposite from the base 206, the housing 200 provides anopening 210 structured and arranged to receive any of a plurality ofdifferent cartridges 108 compatible with SMMDP 100, at least two of thedifferent cartridges 108 providing different modalities for delivery ofproducts.

The cartridge 108 also provides a housing 212, and as may be appreciatedin FIG. 2A, the base 214 of cartridge 108 provides a data chip 216, oneor more ports 218 for lockout device control, power contacts 220, dosecount communication, and or other elements for the exchange of data orphysical control.

The cartridge 108 may also provide a retainer 222 such as a clip, whichat least temporarily binds with the inside of control base 106 housingto keep the control base 106 and cartridge 108 engaged. For at least oneembodiment, the retainer 222, such as clips are also a lockout.Moreover, as shown, retainer 222 may be cantilevers extending away fromthe cartridge housing 212. When so deployed, internal elements orlinkage (not shown) lockout operation of the cartridge 108. For example,an upper portion of the retainer 222 may engage with a slot, groove orother structure of the dispenser 256 when the retainer 222 is deployed,but when coupled with the control base 106 and therefore pressed in, theretainer(s) 222 not only temporarily bind the cartridge 108 with thecontrol base 108, but the upper portion of the retainer 222 releasesfrom the slot, groove or other structure of the dispenser 256., For atleast one embodiment, as these cantilevers are pressed inward, suchaction also disengages at least one lockout that prevents the cartridgefrom operating when disconnected from the control base 106. As may beappreciated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the top of cartridge 108 provides one ormore openings 224 from which product is dispensed to the user. In thecase of exemplary cartridge 108 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and 2G, thecartridge is an inhaler cartridge and the openings 224 are vents fromwhich the user may inhale vapor.

FIGS. 2D and 2E provide a perspective view and cut through view of thecontrol base 106, and FIGS. 2F and 2G provide a perspective view and cutthrough side view of an exemplary cartridge 108 (enlarged for ease ofillustration and discussion). With respect first to FIG. 2E as shown,for at least one embodiment, the control base is characterized by ahousing 200 at least partially enclosing a cartridge receiver 226, acartridge reader 228, a wireless transceiver 230, a lockout deactivator232, a controller 234 and a power supply 236 such as a battery.

The cartridge receiver 226 is structured and arranged to temporarilyengage one of a plurality of different cartridges 108, and in varyingembodiments may provide one or more spring clips, sockets, pins, magnetsor other structures configured to engage and temporarily hold theengaged cartridge 108. The cartridge receiver 226 may also provideelectrical contacts that engage with corresponding contacts of thecartridge 108 so as to provide power to, and exchange data with, theengaged cartridge 108.

The cartridge reader 228 is structured and arranged to readidentification information from the cartridge 108. The identificationinformation may be provided by a variety of different devices such asbut not limited to, a smart chip, such an EPROM, EEPROM, or other datachip 216, a QR code, barcode, physical pattern, or other means ofencoding identifying information. This identification information may beused to uniquely identify both the cartridge 108 as well as the productcontained by the cartridge, such as but not limited to the batch andmanufacturer of the product.

The wireless transceiver 230 is structured and arranged for wirelesscommunication with at least one remote computing device. For at leastone embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the initial remote computing devicemay be the first device 110 of a user 102, which in turn providesgreater communication access, e.g. Internet access, such that thecontrol base 106 may send and receive information to at least one remotecomputing device providing a database 118. Of course, for someembodiments, the first device 110 may provide caches of database 118information such that the control base 106 interactions are generallywith the first device 110. For yet other embodiments, the wirelesstransceiver 230 may permit the control base 106 to directly achievewireless network access to a remote computing device providing adatabase 118 without requiring a first device 110 as an access pointand/or data bridge.

The lockout deactivator 232 is structured and arranged to disengage atleast one lockout mechanism of the cartridge 108 received by thecartridge receiver 226. Moreover, for at least one embodiment, thecartridge 108 is in a disabled or locked out state and cannot be useduntil the at least one lockout has been disengaged. Although the lockoutdeactivator 232 may alternatively be termed a lockout activator in thatit engaged one or more lockout devices, it has been termed herein as alockout deactivator 232 to help reinforce the advantageous nature ofSMMDP 100 not to be used unless authorized. In varying embodiments, thelockout deactivator 232 may be electronic or electromechanical devicesuch as, but not limited to an electrical switch to enable or disablepower, a solenoid or geared mechanism operable to apply or removepressure upon at least a specific component of the cartridge, or otheroperable element that mechanically, electrically, or magneticallyenables or disables the lockout of a cartridge 108 engaged with thecontrol base 106.

Indeed for at least one embodiment, multiple lockout elements may beemployed—such as a first lockout device as a cartridge lockout and asecond lockout device as a dose control lockout. Moreover, the firstlockout may be structured and arranged to disable use of the cartridgewhen not coupled to the control base, while the second lockout isstructured and arranged to permit activation and deactivation when thecartridge is coupled to the control base. As shown and describe above,for at least one embodiment, the retainer 222, e.g. opposing cantileversextending from either side of the cartridge housing 212 are the externallever elements of a cartridge lockout, such that when they are deployedaway from the cartridge 108, the cartridge 108 is mechanically disabled,but when pressed inward, they disengage a first lockout in addition totemporarily binding the cartridge 108 with the control base 106 duringuse. For design and production reasons, in varying embodiments it may bedesired to provide at least these first and second lockout options asdifferent elements.

Moreover, it is an advantageous feature of SMMDP 100 that cartridges 108can only properly dispense a dose of product when they are coupled tothe control base 106. For at least one embodiment, dispensation of adose of product from the cartridge 108 is also dependent upon otherfactors, such as but not limited to the user being authorized to receivea dose of the product, that the user is requesting a dosage of theproduct at an approved time or within an approved window, that the useris requesting a dosage of the product in a permitted location, and/orother such factors as may be determined appropriate for enhanced productdosage management in varying embodiments.

Indeed, embodiments of SMMDP 100 may optionally confirm a variety offactors, such as but not limited to, that the user is the owner orauthorized user of the cartridge 108, is of an age for use of thecartridge 108, has a prescription for use of the cartridge 108, has nottaken a previous dosage of the same product or another product thatwould be potentially harmful if combined with the present request for adosage of product from the cartridge 108, etc . . . . In other words,even when a cartridge 108 has been temporarily engaged with the controlbase 106, for at least one embodiment the control base 106 will confirmthat the user is authorized for the use of the cartridge 106.

The controller 234 is structured and arranged to receive cartridgeinformation from the cartridge reader 228, optionally control thelockout deactivator 232 to permit or deny a dosing event, detect adosing event, and communicate by the wireless transceiver 230, thecartridge information and each detected dosing event to the at least oneremote computing device, such as the user's first device 110 and/or thedosing system 120, specifically the remote computing device providingthe database 118.

The controller 234 may also optionally be electrically coupled to one ormore lights or display panels and buttons so as to provide visualinformation to a user and receive commands from a user.

For at least one embodiment the control base 106 may also include a dosecounter 238, such as a micro switch that is triggered when each dose isdispensed from the temporarily engaged cartridge 108. For at least onealternative embodiment, the dose counter is a component of the cartridge108, with each dispensed dose being reported to the control base 106 aswell. Further, for at least one alternative embodiment, the cartridge108 has a display (not shown) which regardless of whether the dosecounter is a component of the control base 106 or the cartridge 108,reports the remaining number of doses for the cartridge. Further, thisremaining dose count may be observed by a user whether the cartridge 108is coupled to the control base 106 or not.

The power supply 236, such as a battery provides the electrical power tothe control base 106 and, in at least some embodiments, the receivedcartridge 108. The power supply 236 may be a rechargeable battery, andthe housing 200 may further provide a charging port 240 such that thepower supply 236 may be replenished without removal from the housing200.

As noted above, FIGS. 2F and 2G provide a perspective view and side viewof an exemplary cartridge 108. For ease of illustration and discussion,the exemplary cartridge 108 is for an inhaler 250, though it will beunderstood and appreciated that all cartridges 108 for SMMDP 100 sharesubstantially the same components.

More specifically, each cartridge 108 is characterized by a housing 212that at least partially encloses a reservoir 252 of product 254 (e.g.medicate) and a dispenser 256. The cartridge 108 also provides at leastone data chip 216, a unique identifier 258 (may be incorporated in thedata chip 216), a lockout 260 and a count trigger 262. As noted above,the product 254 may be a plant based product having one or moreconstituents which have been, or may be, correlated to the treatment ofone or more conditions for which a user may desire a dosage of theproduct 254.

The housing 212 is structured and arranged so that at least a portion isto be disposed into the housing of the control base 106, and to bereceived by the cartridge receiver 226 of the control base 106. Commonfor all cartridges 108, within the housing is at least one reservoir 252of product 254. The dispenser 256 is structured and arranged to dispensea predetermined amount of product 254, when the cartridge 108 is coupledto the control base 106 and the lockout 260 disengaged.

Moreover, the lockout 260 is structured and arranged to lockout thedispenser 256 when the cartridge 108 is not engaged with the controlbase 106. As noted above, for at least one embodiment, the controller234 of the control base 106 has the functional ability to engage anddisengage the lockout 260 while the cartridge 108 is coupled to thecontrol base 106. Such optional control advantageously permits SMMDP 100to enhance dosage management.

Indeed, for at least one embodiment the cartridge 108 has at least twolockout devices, a first lockout component that is disabled upon thecartridge 108 being coupled to the control base 106 and a second lockoutcomponent that is activated or deactivated by the controller 234. Forexample, the first lockout component may be a physical structure such asone or more spring pins within the cartridge 108 that are disengaged byaligned protrusions within the control base 106. The second lockout maybe an electrical lockout such as a switch, a screw drive, or a solenoidor gear operated level that is optionally engaged or disengaged asdirected by the controller 234. Moreover, for at least one embodiment afirst lockout is disengaged by the physical act of the user 102 couplingthe cartridge 108 to the control base 106 to provide a desired modalityfor dosing device 104, while a second lockout is controlled by thecontroller 234 to advantageously ensure that a proper dosage is onlyadministered to an authorized/permitted user 102. Suchauthorization/permission may be based on a variety of elements, such asbut not limited to, the user being registered with the dosing system120, the user owning the control base 104 and the cartridge 108, theuser having a prescription or other authorization on file with thedosing system, the user being in a physical location where use of theproduct is permitted, the dosage being requested at a time that free ofpotential conflict with past administered dosages of the same ordifferent products known to the dosing system 102, etc . . .

The smart chip 216, or data chip 216, is disposed upon or within thehousing 212 in such a location as to be proximate to the cartridgereader 228 when the cartridge 108 is coupled to the control base 106.For at least one embodiment, there may be a direct physical orelectrical connection between the cartridge reader 228 and the smartchip 216.

Each cartridge 108 has a unique identifier 258, which may be a physicalelement such as a QR code, barcode, RFID tag, physical patter or othermeans of encoding information. The unique identifier 258 serves touniquely identify each cartridge 108. In addition, the unique identifiermay also be used to identify the product 254 within the reservoir, andeven more specifically the batch/manufacturer of the product 254.Moreover, for at least one embodiment the unique identifier may have atleast two elements—a first portion uniquely identifying the cartridge(e.g. 904) and a second portion that uniquely identifies the product 254(e.g. 1184). In such fashion, a first cartridge 108 with uniqueidentifier 904-1184 may be distinguished from a second cartridge 108with unique identifier 905-1184, though both cartridges are also easilyrecognized to contain the same product 254.

Although the unique identifier 258 may be an established component ofthe smart chip 216, such as in the case of an EEPROM, the uniqueidentifier is generally understood to be a fixed data element thatremains unchanged for the cartridge, while the smart chip 216 isappreciated to be a device which may have additional data added to it,such as remaining dosages, last dosage, or the nature or identificationof the product once the cartridge 108 has been filled. Of course, afixed ID established at the time of manufacturer may be later correlatedto the identity of the product later disposed within the cartridge,especially for instances where fabrication of the cartridge 108 occursprior to the cartridge 108 being filled with product.

It should also be understood and appreciated that the unique identifier258 may be indexed through a database so as to identify the product 254.Further the unique identifier 258 may be indexed to a user 102, and/orthe merchant supplied with the cartridge 108 for sale or distribution.

For at least one embodiment, the unique identifier 258 is a component ofthe data chip 216, and therefore may not be visible to the user 102. Inother embodiments, the unique identifier 258 may be a component of thedata chip 216 as well as represented by human readable indicia.

Moreover, for at least one embodiment, the controller 234 is structuredand arranged to control the lockout deactivator 232 in accordance withat least the information determined from the cartridge 108, such as theunique identifier 258. In other words, for at least one embodiment thecontroller 234 is operable to determine from the unique identifier 258if the cartridge 108 may be activated to dispense a dosage of product254.

For example, a first user 102A may have his or her control base 106configured for operation with a first subset of products, while a seconduser 102B may have his or her control base 106 configured for operationwith a second subset of products at least some of which are distinctfrom the first set of products.

For yet other embodiments, the controller 234 may be configured torecognize only cartridges 108 from the same manufacturer or provider asthe manufacturer or provider of the control base 106, or for specificgrades or classes of devices—“green” cartridges with “green” controlbases, “red” cartridges 108 with “red” control bases 106, “gold” controlbases 106 accepting “green” and “red” cartridges 108, etc . . .

As the unique identifier 258, and/or other data is communicated by thecontrol base to the first device 110 and or the dosing system 120, invarying embodiments, the lockout deactivator 232 is activated ordeactivated by the controller 234 in accordance with informationreceived from a remote computing device, such as the first device 110and/or the dosing system 120. This information from the remote computingsystem may include, but is not limited to, the user being the owner ofthe cartridge, the user having a prescription for the product providedby the cartridge, the user requesting the dosage during an approvedwindow or in an approved location, as well as the other conditionsdescribed herein or similar thereto.

For at least one embodiment, the controller 234 may deactivate thelockout deactivator 232 for a period of time running from a dosingevent. In other words, if the user has just received a dose of productfrom the dosing device 104, he or she cannot obtain additional doses ofproduct from the current cartridge 108 or another cartridge 108 until aperiod of time has passed. Such lockout periods may be advantageous toreduce the possibility of overdose, and/or to assist the user inprogressively reducing amounts of the product used.

In addition, for at least one embodiment the controller 234 is providedwith operational settings for control of the dispenser 256 in responseto the unique identifier 258 provided by the cartridge 108. For example,for a vaporizer cartridge 108 the controller 234 may be provided withoperational settings for temperature and duration of heating for optimalvaporization of the identified product 254 within the cartridge 108.

The count trigger 262 is structured and arranged to permit counting ofeach instance of dispensation of the product 254. In varyingembodiments, the count trigger 262 may be electronic orelectromechanical device such as, but not limited to an electricalswitch, a pressure sensor, a hall effect sensor, solenoid, rod, lever orgeared mechanism or other operable element that mechanically,electrically, or magnetically indicates to the control base 106 that adose of product 254 has been dispensed from the cartridge 108.

To summarize the above, for at least one embodiment, provided is multimodal product dosing system 100, including: a dosing device provided bytemporarily engaging one of a plurality of cartridges 108 to a controlbase 106, at least two cartridges having different modality of delivery;the control base 106 characterized by: a housing 200 at least partiallyenclosing: a cartridge receiver 226 structured and arranged totemporarily engage one of the plurality of different cartridges; acartridge reader 228 structured and arranged to read identificationinformation from the cartridge 108; a wireless transceiver 230structured and arranged for wireless communication with at least oneremote computing device 116; at least one lockout deactivator 232structured and arranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanism of acartridge received by the cartridge receiver 226; a controller 210structured and arranged to: receive cartridge information from thecartridge reader 228; detect a dosing event; and communicate by thewireless transceiver 230 the cartridge information and each detecteddosing event to the at least one remote computing device 116; each ofthe plurality of cartridges 108 characterized by: a housing 212 at leastpartially enclosing: a reservoir 252 of product 254; a dispenser 256structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amount of product254 by a predetermined modality of delivery; a count trigger 262structured and arranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of theproduct 254; at least one data chip 216 structured and arranged to storedata regarding the cartridge 108; a unique identifier 258 associatedwith the cartridge and the product 254, the unique identifier 258structured and arranged to be determined by the control base 106; and atleast one lockout 260 structured and arranged to lockout the dispenser256, the at least one lockout 260 disengaged by the control base 106while the cartridge is temporarily engaged to the control base 106.

Of course, in yet one alterative embodiment, the present invention ofSMMDP 100 is embodied primarily in a control base 106 for use with oneof a plurality of different cartridges 108 providing optional modalitiesof delivery.

More specifically, for at least one embodiment, provided is multi modalproduct dosing system 100, characterized by a control base 106 coupledto one of a plurality of cartridges 108, at least two cartridges havingdifferent modality of delivery, the control base 106 including: ahousing 200 at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiver 226structured and arranged to temporarily engage one of the plurality ofdifferent cartridges; a cartridge reader 228 structured and arranged toread identification information from the cartridge 108; a wirelesstransceiver 230 structured and arranged for wireless combination with atleast one remote computing device 116; at least one lockout deactivator232 structured and arranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanismof a cartridge received by the cartridge receiver 226; and a controller210 structured and arranged to: receive cartridge information from thecartridge reader 228; detect a dosing event; and communicate by thewireless transceiver 230 the cartridge information and each detecteddosing event to the at least one remote computing device 116; whereineach of the plurality of cartridges 108 is characterized by: a housing212 at least partially enclosing: a reservoir 252 of product 254; adispenser 256 structured and arranged to dispense a predetermined amountof product 254; a count trigger 262 structured and arranged to indicateeach instance of dispensation of the product 254; at least one data chip216 structured and arranged to store data regarding the cartridge 108; aunique identifier 258 associated with the cartridge and the product 254,the unique identifier 258 structured and arranged to be determined bythe control base 106; and at least one lockout 260 structured andarranged to lockout the dispenser 256, the at least one lockout 260disengaged by the control base 106 while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base 106.

And for yet still another embodiment, the present invention of SMMDP 100is embodied primarily in plurality of different cartridges 108 providingoptional modalities of delivery for use with a control base 106.

More specifically, for at least one embodiment, provided is a system fora multi modal product dosing system 100, including: a cartridgecharacterized by: a housing 212 at least partially enclosing: areservoir 252 of product 254; a dispenser 256 structured and arranged todispense a predetermined amount of product 254 by a predeterminedmodality of delivery; a count trigger 262 structured and arranged toindicate each instance of dispensation of the product 254; at least onedata chip 216 structured and arranged to store data regarding thecartridge 108; a unique identifier 258 associated with the cartridge andthe product 254, the unique identifier 258 structured and arranged to bedetermined by a control base 106; at least one lockout 260 structuredand arranged to lockout the dispenser 256, the at least one lockout 260disengaged by the control base 106 while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base 106; wherein the cartridge is temporarilyengaged by a control base 106 characterized by: a housing 212 at leastpartially enclosing: a cartridge receiver 226 structured and arranged totemporarily engage one of a plurality of different cartridges, at leasttwo cartridges having different modality of delivery; a cartridge reader228 structured and arranged to read identification information from thecartridge 108; a wireless transceiver 230 structured and arranged forwireless combination with at least one remote computing device 116; atleast one lockout 260 deactivator 232 structured and arranged todisengage the at least one lockout mechanism of a cartridge received bythe cartridge receiver 226; a controller 210 structured and arranged to:receive cartridge information from the cartridge reader 228; detect adosing event; and communicate by the wireless transceiver 230 thecartridge information and each detected dosing event to the at least oneremote computing device 116.

With the above overview of the general structure of each cartridge 108now established, specific cartridges for different modalities ofdelivery may now be more fully appreciated. As noted above, FIG. 2F and2G present an inhaler cartridge 108/250. For ease of illustration anddiscussion, the exemplary inhaler cartridge 250 is a vaporizing inhalercartridge 250.

The dispenser 256 is provided by a rotating top 268 disposed upon a tube270. Rotation of the top 268 imparts rotation to the tube 270 which inturn drives gears 272 which impart longitudinal downward motion toplunger 274. This downward motion of the plunger 274 compresses thereservoir 252 of product 254, such that a metered amount of product isdispensed into vaporizing chamber 276 through valve 278. Activated bycontroller 234, the vaporizing chamber 276 heats the dispensed productto provide a vapor that is inhaled by the user through tube 270.

In varying embodiments, the reservoir 252 and dispenser 256 aresubstantially as set forth and described in the '062 Application, notedabove, with the incorporation of the heating element as a component ofthe cartridge 108 rather than the control base 106.

Rotation of the top 268 is prevented by lockout 260, achieved by lockoutrod 280, which may be engaged by default by spring 282, driving lockoutrod 280 into sleeve 284 of top 268. When controller 234 activateslockout deactivator 232, the lockout rod 280 is retracted from sleeve284 and top 268 is permitted to rotate. In FIG. 2G, lockout rod 280 isshown engaged with sleeve 280 such that the top 268 is prevented fromrotating.

In varying embodiments, the mechanism for engagement between the lockoutdeactivator 232 and the lockout rod 280 is selected from the groupconsisting of, but not limited to, threaded engagement, magneticengagement, ball and socket snap. Moreover, an appropriate engagementstructure is selected and employed to permit the lockout deactivator 232of the control base 106 to temporarily engage with the lockout 260 ofthe cartridge 108, and control the lockout 260 of the cartridge whilethe control base 106 and cartridge 108 are engaged to provide dosingdevice 104.

With respect to rotation of the top 268 for dispensation ofpre-determined amounts of product 254, in varying embodiments, rotationsin increments such as, but not limited to 90 degrees, permitting 90-,180-, 292- and 360-degree increments may be adopted for 1, 2, 3 and 4volumes of metered dosage of the contained product 254.

With each increment of rotation, a count trigger 262, such as a rod 264,may be depressed by a nub or other protrusion on the bottom of therotating top 268 to indicate to the control base 106 that one or moremetered doses of product have been dispensed. Spring 266 returns rod 264to a ready position to await depression during the next rotation of top268.

With respect to FIG. 2G, although shown and described with respect to aninhaler based on heated vaporization, a nebulizer cartridge 108/290 maybe provided by revising the configuration of the vaporizing chamber 276as shown in the partial enlarged section 292, to provide apiezo-vibrating element 294 proximate to the receiving surface 296 uponwhich the extruded product 254 is deposited from the reservoir 252. Aswith the heated vapor, the atomized product 298 is provided through thetube 270 for inhalation by the user.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C provide an alternative version for an inhalercartridge 108/300 of a vaporizing nature. FIG. 3B is a cross sectionalview along the side section view shown in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is anenlarged partial section of the heating and vaporizing area 302.

For consistency and relation to the structure of the general cartridge108, vaporizing cartridge 300 provides a housing 212, a reservoir 252providing product 254, a dispenser 256 data chip 216 (providing uniqueidentifier 258) lockout 260 and count trigger 262.

More specifically, the vaporizing area 302 is a vaporizing chamber 304provided by a cavity 306 into which the dispensed product 254 isextruded. This cavity 306 is circumferential with a central risingconical structure 308. The cavity 306 itself is composed of heatconductive material such that the cavity 306, and more specifically thecentral conical structure 308 provide the heating element to achievevaporization of the extruded product 254.

In addition, for at least one embodiment the cavity 306 and conicalstructure 308 are structured and arranged so as to cause a wickingaction of the extruded product 254 across their surfaces, and in sodoing facilitates a close proximity between the heat source and theextruded product 254. Moreover, the narrow shape of the cavity 306 andthe central conical structure 308 advantageously concentrate theextruded product during vaporizing and ensure that extruded material 254does not dissipate upon non-heating surfaces, thus furtheradvantageously ensuring that the full dose of extruded product isvaporized. In addition, as the cavity 306 is deep, this style ofvaporizing chamber is advantageously accommodating to different metereddoses of extruded product 254.

For at least one embodiment, either or both the cavity 306 and theconical structure 308 are formed of an oleophilic material or at thevery least incorporate oleophilic material upon their surfaces so as tofurther induce oil-based product 254 to spread out upon their surfacesand thus improve heat transfer and vaporization. For at least onealternative embodiment, wherein the cartridge 108 provides a water-basedproduct 254, either or both the cavity 306 and the conical structure 308are formed of a hydrophilic material or at the very least incorporatehydrophilic material upon their surfaces.

The exemplary embodiment of inhaler cartridge 108/300 also presents analternative plunger drive mechanism, more fully shown and described withrespect to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C below.

For at least the inhalation cartridges 108, e.g., at least exemplaryinhaler cartridge 108/250, nebulizer cartridge 108/290, and inhalercartridge 108/300—and most specifically those cartridges 108 whereinheat is applied to achieve vaporization, it is understood andappreciated that for at least one embodiment the vaporizing chamber 304is thermally isolated from the reservoir 252, such that heat applied toachieve vaporization does not inadvertently heat, and possibly degradeor alter, the remaining product 254 within the reservoir 252. Inaddition, for embodiments involving nebulization, the vaporizing chamber304 (or atomization chamber as it may also be termed) is isolated fromthe reservoir such that vibrations used to achieve atomization are notinadvertently transmitted to the remaining product 254 within thereservoir 252.

With respect to embodiments for inhalation cartridges 108, e.g., atleast exemplary inhaler cartridge 108/250, nebulizer cartridge 108/290,and inhaler cartridge 108/300, the exemplary means for preparing eachmetered dosage of product 254 in at least one embodiment involves atleast partial rotation of the rotating top 268. The translation ofrotation about a longitudinal center into lateral motion along thelongitudinal center may be achieved by gears and most specifically theangular pitch of threads about the plunger 274. Moreover, for at leastone embodiment the drive assembly is based on involute gears—which mayinclude spur, helical and bevel designs. And still further, yet otherembodiments may incorporate other intermittent gearing systems forachieving a high gear ratio, such as but not limited to a Genevamechanism/gear system.

For some embodiments an alternative mechanical structure has beendeveloped incorporating a cycloidal gear assembly 400 as shown in FIGS.4A-4C. For at least one embodiment, cycloidal gear assembly 400 providesadvantageously high gear ratio (e.g. revolutions between the rotatingtop 268 and the rotation of a shaft to impart lateral motion to theplunger 274, with low friction, high torque, compact size and excellentwear resistance—desirable characteristics facilitating consistentextrusion of product 254 for consistent metered dosing. Moreover, for atleast one embodiment, the exemplary inhaler cartridge 108/250, nebulizercartridge 108/290, inhaler cartridge 108/300, or other cartridgedispensing a liquid, mist, spray, oil, ointment, or other non-solidproduct 254 wherein the plunger is actuated against the product 254 in areservoir 252 of cartridge 108, may incorporate a cycloidal gearassembly 400.

More specifically, FIG. 4A shows a side view of a cartridge 108incorporating cycloidal gear assembly 400, with FIG. 4B presenting a cutthrough view. FIG. 4C presents a perspective view of the cycloidal gearassembly 400 removed for ease of identification of the components.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that cycloidal gear assembly400 is a form of toothed gear assembly based on epicycloid andhypocycloid curves generated by a circle rolling around the outside orinside of another circle. When two toothed gears engage, an imaginarycircle—the pitch circle—can be drawn around the center of either gearthrough the point of contact between their respective teeth. The curvesof the teeth outside the pitch circle are known as the addenda and thecurves of the tooth spaces inside the pitch circle are known as thededenda. Moreover, the addendum of one gear rests inside the dedendum ofthe other gear. The addenda of the wheel teeth are convex epi-cycloidaland the dedenda of the pinion are concave hypocycloidal curves generatedby the same generating circle. This ensures that the motion of one gearis transferred to the other at a locally consistent angular velocity.

As is perhaps most easily appreciated in FIG. 4C, the rotating head 268(shown in FIGS. 2F & 2G or 3A & 3B) is coupled to shaft 402, which inturn is mounted eccentrically to a rolling bearing 404 causing thecycloidal gear 406 to move in a circle. The cycloidal gear 406independently rotates about the bearing 404 as it is pushed against thering pins 408 of the outer ring gear 410. As shown, the cycloidal gear406 has a plurality of apertures 412 each of which receives a roller pin414 from the output shaft 416 (see FIG. 4B). The apertures 412 arelarger in diameter than the diameter of each roller pin 414, and thenumber of ring pins 410 of the outer ring gear 410 is larger than thenumber of teeth 418 on the cycloidal gear 406. The roller pins 414 ofthe output shaft 416 move around in the apertures 412 to achieve steadyrotation of the output shaft 416, which in turn is coupled to theplunger 274.

With respect to FIG. 4B, the cycloidal gear assembly 400 drives theplunger 274 to extrude product 254 from the reservoir 252 through ports430 and 432, which alternate in alignment to an extrusion aperture 434.For at least one embodiment, ports 430 and 432, are substantiallyidentical, the volume of product 254 dispensed determined at least inpart by the volume of each port. For the present example, and for easeof illustration and discussion, ports 430 and 432, are shown anddescribed as substantially identical.

More specifically, it will be understood and appreciated that platter436 is coupled to rotating shaft 402. As such, a rotation of 180 degreesof the shaft is sufficient to transpose the locations of ports 430 and432, while at the same time driving the cycloidal gear assembly 400 asdescribed above for a precise downward motion of the piston 274. FromFIGS. 4B and 4C it will also be appreciated that valve cap 426 remainsin a relative position—it does not rotate with platter 432. Valve cap438 is structured and arranged with a lower section 440 that isdimensioned to substantially fit within either of ports 430 and 432. Asthe platter 436 is rotated, valve cap 438 will rise out of one port, andplunge into the second upon completion of the 180 rotation, extrudingthe product 254 from the port (the alighted port 430 or 432) throughextrusion aperture 434, and effectively sealing the port (the alightedport 430 or 432) such that only the intended metered dose of product 254is dispensed.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C provide a perspective, side and cut-throughillustrations of a conceptual pump cartridge 108/500. Again, forconsistency and relation to the structure of the general cartridge 108,pump cartridge 500 provides a housing 212, a reservoir 252 providingproduct 254, a dispenser 256 data chip 216 (providing unique identifier258) lockout 260 and count trigger 262.

More specifically, for the pump cartridge 500, the dispenser 256 isprovided at least in party by a spring biased pump head 502. For atleast one embodiment, the pump shaft 504 incorporates an inner chamber506 with top 508 and bottom 510 one-way valves, such that upon expansionof the pump shaft 504, liquid product 254 is drawn into the chamber 506,and upon depression of the pump shaft, the product 254 is expelled fromthe chamber 506 and dispensed through orifice 512 to the user.

For yet another embodiment, the pump cartridge 400 may incorporate anairless pump system substantially similar to that disclosed in the '062Application.

It will be understood and appreciated that variations in orifice sizeand internal fluid channels permit varying embodiments of pump cartridge500 to provide a range of delivery modalities from the extrusion of agel or lotion to a fine spray. Moreover, in varying embodimentconfigurations, the pump cartridge 108/500 may be configured as a spraycartridge, a lotion/lotion/paste dispensing cartridge, or a droppercartridge (such as an eye dropper cartridge).

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C provide side and cut-through illustrations of aconceptual pill cartridge 108/600. It is to be understood andappreciated that whether described as a pill, tablet, gel cap, capsuleor other unit, the pill cartridge 108/600 is structured and arranged todispense substantially solid pre-fabricated units. The distinction oftablets as formed from compressed powder vs. liquid filled capsules issubstantially immaterial, and for the purposes of this discussion, pillsor tablets are understood to be interchangeable terms encompassing allsuch units of products including capsules, gel bodies, severed chunksand the like. More simply stated, pills or tablets as used herein areunderstood and appreciated to be substantially consistent distinct unitsof product which do not dissolve into with one another when placed incasual contact.

Once again, for consistency and relation to the structure of the generalcartridge 108, pill cartridge 600 provides a housing 212, a reservoir252 providing product 254, a dispenser 256 data chip 216 (providingunique identifier 258) lockout 260 and count trigger 262.

More specifically, for the pill cartridge 600, the dispenser 256 isprovided at least in part by an articulating head 602 disposed over areservoir 252 of stacked product 254. When the lockout 260 isdisengaged, the head 602 is rotated up, such that a dispensing tab 604is rotated forward to contact and laterally move the top most pill 606for dispensation to the user 102. As the articulating head is closed,the counting trigger 262 in the form of a rod 608 is depressed, which isregistered by the control base 106.

The lockout 260 is similarly provided by an actuated rod 610, shown inlockout position such that the distal end 612 abuts the dispensing tab604 of the articulating head 602, thereby preventing articulation.

FIGS. 7A and 7B provide conceptual cut through views of a stripcartridge 700. In varying embodiments, the strips 702 may be forsub-lingual consumption, or for temporary adhesion to the skin fortransdermal application of the product 254. Again, for consistency andrelation to the structure of the general cartridge 108, strip cartridge700 provides a housing 212, a reservoir 252 providing product 254, adispenser 256 data chip 216 (providing unique identifier 258) lockout260 and count trigger 262.

More specifically, for strip cartridge 700, the dispenser 256 isprovided by a rotating dispenser pad 704. Having a tacky outer surface706, as the rotating dispenser pad 702 is brought into contact with thetop most strip 702 in the reservoir 252. Upon such contact, the tackysurface 704 will temporarily grip the top most strip 708 and dispense itto the user through a side opening 710.

Strip cartridge 700 has also been illustrated to show at least onealternative for the lockout 260. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, thelockout is achieved by a rotating rod 712, the distal end 714 providinga flange 716. When the rod 712 is rotated to a first position 718, theflange 710 blocks rotation of the dispenser pad 702. As rotation of thedispenser pad 702 cannot be achieved with the flange 716 in this firstposition 718, lockout is achieved. The lockout 260 is disengaged byrotating the rod 712 to a second position 720, which positioned theflange 716 free of the dispensing pad 702, thus permitting rotation andthe dispensation of a strip 702, e.g. top strip 708.

As the top strip 708 is dispensed, roller wheel 716 actuates counttrigger 262, and spring 724 presses the stacked product 254 (strips 702)upwards so that the next strip is ready to be dispensed.

FIG. 8 provides a conceptual cut through view for an injection cartridge800. Once again for consistency and relation to the structure of thegeneral cartridge 108, injection cartridge 800 provides a housing 212, areservoir 252 providing product 254, a dispenser 256, data chip 216(providing unique identifier 258) lockout 260 and count trigger 262.

More specifically, for the injection cartridge 800, the dispenser 256 isprovided at least in part by an injection needle 802 that is actuatedthrough a needle safety feature 804 such as a permeable and cleaningmembrane 806. For at least one embodiment, the injection cartridge 800is a single use cartridge, the product 254 being preloaded for a singledosage. Further, for at least one embodiment, the reservoir 252 ispressurized so as to dispense substantially all of the product in asingle, smooth injection.

For at least one alternative embodiment, an internal belt (not shown) ofreplacement needles 802 may also be incorporated so that each dosage isprovided by a new needle 802. Preparation of the dose of product 254 forinjection may be achieved as described above with respect to plungerextrusion or pump extrusion, or pressurized gas. Further, lockout 260may be achieved in a variety of optional ways, including, but notlimited to internal mechanical linkage 808 which elevates the needle 802through the safety feature 804 and triggers the count trigger 262.

Having described embodiments for SMMDP 100 as shown with respect toFIGS. 1-8, other embodiments relating to at least one method forproviding multi-modal dosing will now be discussed with respect to FIG.9 in connection with FIGS. 1-8. It will be appreciated that thedescribed method need not be performed in the order in which it isherein described, but that this description is merely exemplary of onemethod of multi-modal dosing in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, method 900 typically begins with providing a controlbase 106, block 902. The control base 106 characterized by: a housing200 at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiver 226 structuredand arranged to temporarily engage one of a plurality of differentcartridges; a cartridge reader 228 structured and arranged to readidentification information from the cartridge; a wireless transceiver230 structured and arranged for wireless communication with at least oneremote computing device; a lockout deactivator 232 structured andarranged to disengage a lockout 260 mechanism of a cartridge 108received by the cartridge receiver 202; a controller 234 structured andarranged to: receive cartridge information from the cartridge reader228; detect a dosing event; and communicate by the wireless transceiver230 the cartridge information and each detected dosing event to the atleast one remote computing device.

The method continued by providing a plurality of different cartridges108, at least two cartridges 108 providing different modalities ofdelivery for a product contained within each cartridge, block 904. Evenwith different modalities of delivery, each cartridge 108 ischaracterized by: a housing at least partially enclosing: a reservoir252 of product 254; a dispenser 256 structured and arranged to dispensea predetermined amount of product 254; a count trigger 262 structuredand arranged to indicate each instance of dispensation of the product254; at least one data chip 216 structured and arranged to store dataregarding the cartridge; a unique identifier 236 associated with thecartridge 108 and the product 254, the unique identifier 258 structuredand arranged to be determined by the control base 106; a lockout 260structured and arranged to lockout the dispenser 256, the lockout 260disengaged by the control base 106 while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base 106.

The method 400 continues with the user 102 selecting a cartridge toprovide the modality of delivery desired for the intended product. Theselected cartridge 108 and the control base 106 are then coupledtogether to provide dosing device 104.

For at least one alternative embodiment, the user may use his or herfirst computing device 110, and more specifically the application 112configuring the first computing device 110 to specify anailment/condition, i.e. a reason, for which they are requesting a doseof product 254. As the database 118 contains user data, which mayinclude records for the different cartridges 108 in the possession ofthe user. If the user 102 does not have product 254 suitable for theirreason, as set forth in '556 App noted above, the dosing system 120 mayalso inform the user 102 of the location where the user can obtainappropriate product 254. Further, for at least one embodiment, thedosing system 120 of SMMDP 100 can advantageously suggest the optimalmodality of delivery for product 254 suitable for the user specifiedreason. More simply stated, for at least one embodiment, SMMDP 100advantageously informs the user of which cartridge 108 provides themodality of delivery that is most appropriate for the user statedreason.

When the cartridge 108 is received within the control base 106 the datachip 216 of the cartridge 108 is read and at least the unique identifier258 for the cartridge is obtained. The dosing device 104, and morespecifically the control base 106, may communicate with at least oneremote computing device, and based on one or more identifiers receivedfrom the cartridge (i.e. the unique identifier and/or additional dataregarding the product) and compared to the database 118.

Moreover, the method continues with receiving at least the uniqueidentifier 258 from the dosing device 104, block 906, and querying thedatabase to determine that the user is authorized to use the cartridge108, block 908. The database may also provide dispensation data, such asdosage amount, heating characteristics, or other information for use bythe control base for advantageously optimized dispensation of theproduct by the user selected modality.

If the user 102 is authorized, then the control base 106 disengages thelockout 260 via the lockout deactivator 232 and the user is permitted toreceive a dosage of the product 254 in the delivery modality provided bythe cartridge 108. If the user is not authorized, then the control basedoes not disengage the lockout 260 and the user is prevented fromreceiving a dosage of product 254. For at least one embodiment, if theuser 102 is not authorized, he or she is informed of this fact as thebasis for the requested dosage of product 254 being denied.

Information regarding the dosage dispensed, such as, but not limited tothe time, date, and quantity of dosage are reported to the database 118and recorded with respect to the user data and/or cartridge data, block910. As the control base 106 is operational with SMMDP 100 with allintended cartridges 108, the use of different cartridges and/ordifferent product is advantageously monitored and recorded.

Substantially real time feedback from users, such as, but not limited totheir assessment of effectiveness for the product for a given reason forrequesting a dosage of the product may also be captured and recorded—andused to correlate the constituents of the product to such a given reasonso as to increase accuracy of suggested/prescribed products in thefuture.

To summarize, for at least one embodiment provided is a method for multimodal product dosing, including: providing a control base 106characterized by: a housing 200 at least partially enclosing: acartridge receiver 226 structured and arranged to temporarily engage oneof the plurality of different cartridges; a cartridge reader 228structured and arranged to read identification information from thecartridge 108; a wireless transceiver 230 structured and arranged forwireless communication with at least one remote computing device 116; atleast one lockout deactivator 232 structured and arranged to disengageat least one lockout mechanism of a cartridge received by the cartridgereceiver 226; a controller 210 structured and arranged to: receivecartridge information from the cartridge reader 228; detect a dosingevent; and communicate by the wireless transceiver 230 the cartridgeinformation and each detected dosing event to the at least one remotecomputing device 116; providing a plurality of cartridges 108, at leasttwo cartridges having different modality of delivery, each cartridgecharacterized by: a housing 212 at least partially enclosing: areservoir 252 of product 254; a dispenser 256 structured and arranged todispense a predetermined amount of product 254 by a predeterminedmodality of delivery; a count trigger 262 structured and arranged toindicate each instance of dispensation of the product 254; at least onedata chip 216 structured and arranged to store data regarding thecartridge 108; a unique identifier 258 associated with the cartridge andthe product 254, the unique identifier 258 structured and arranged to bedetermined by the control base 106; at least one lockout 260 structuredand arranged to lockout the dispenser 256, the at least one lockout 260disengaged by the control base 106 while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base 106; determining the unique identifier 258associated with the cartridge upon a selected cartridge beingtemporarily engaged with the control base 106; and providing operationalsettings to the control base 106 for the control of the dispenser 256 inresponse to the determined unique identifier 258.

For yet another embodiment, the method may be summarized as a method formulti modal product dosing system 100, characterized by a control base106 coupled to one of a plurality of cartridges 108, at least twocartridges having different modality of delivery, including: providing acontrol base 106 characterized by: a housing 200 at least partiallyenclosing: a cartridge receiver 226 structured and arranged totemporarily engage one of the plurality of different cartridges, atleast two cartridges having different modality of delivery; a cartridgereader 228 structured and arranged to read identification informationfrom the cartridge 108; a wireless transceiver 230 structured andarranged for wireless communication with at least one remote computingdevice 116; at least one lockout deactivator 232 structured and arrangedto disengage at least one lockout mechanism of a cartridge received bythe cartridge receiver 226; a controller 210 structured and arranged to:receive cartridge information from the cartridge reader 228; detect adosing event; and communicate by the wireless transceiver 230 thecartridge information and each detected dosing event to the at least oneremote computing device 116; receiving by the control base 106 aselected cartridge having; a housing 212 at least partially enclosing: areservoir 252 of product 254; a dispenser 256 structured and arranged todispense a predetermined amount of product 254 by a predeterminedmodality of delivery; a count trigger 262 structured and arranged toindicate each instance of dispensation of the product 254; at least onedata chip 216 structured and arranged to store data regarding thecartridge 108; a unique identifier 258 associated with the cartridge andthe product 254, the unique identifier 258 structured and arranged to bedetermined by the control base 106; at least one lockout 260 structuredand arranged to lockout the dispenser 256, the at least one lockout 260disengaged by the control base 106 while the cartridge is temporarilyengaged to the control base 106; determining the unique identifier 258associated with the cartridge 108; transmitting the unique identifier258 to the remote computing device 116, the remote computing device 116querying data records to identify the cartridge and the product 254contained in the reservoir 252; transmitting to the controller 210 atleast one operational setting to activate the lockout deactivator 232;and transmitting to the remote computing device 116 a confirmation thata dosage of product 254 has been administered.

To expand upon the initial suggestion of at least the first device 110,dosage device 104 (more specifically, the control base 106), dosingsystem 120, database 118 and other systems comprising SMMDP 100 beingcomputer systems adapted to their specific roles, FIG. 10 is a highlevel block diagram of an exemplary computer system 1000 such as may beprovided for one or more of the elements comprising at first device 110,dosage device 104 (more specifically, the control base 106), dosingsystem 120, database 118 whether provided as distinct individual systemsor integrated together in one or more computer systems.

Computer system 1000 has a case 1002, enclosing a main board 1004. Themain board 1004 has a system bus 1006, connection ports 1008, aprocessing unit, such as Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1010 with atleast one microprocessor (not shown) and a memory storage device, suchas main memory 1012, hard drive 1014 and CD/DVD ROM drive 1016.

Memory bus 1018 couples main memory 1012 to the CPU 1010. A system bus1006 couples the hard disc drive 1014, CD/DVD ROM drive 1016 andconnection ports 1008 to the CPU 1010. Multiple input devices may beprovided, such as, for example, a mouse 1020 and keyboard 1022. Multipleoutput devices may also be provided, such as, for example, a videomonitor 1024 and a printer (not shown). As computer system 1000 isintended to be interconnected with other computer systems in the CSE 100a combined input/output device such as at least one network interfacecard, or NIC 1026 is also provided.

Computer system 1000 may be a commercially available system, such as adesktop workstation unit provided by IBM, Dell Computers, Gateway,Apple, or other computer system provider. Computer system 1000 may alsobe a networked computer system, wherein memory storage components suchas hard drive 1014, additional CPUs 1010 and output devices such asprinters are provided by physically separate computer systems commonlyconnected in the network.

Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that thephysical composition of components and component interconnections arecomprised by the computer system 1000, and select a computer system 1000suitable for one or more of the computer systems incorporated in theformation and operation of CSE 100.

When computer system 1000 is activated, preferably an operating system1028 will load into main memory 1012 as part of the boot strap startupsequence and ready the computer system 1000 for operation. At thesimplest level, and in the most general sense, the tasks of an operatingsystem fall into specific categories, such as, process management,device management (including application and User interface management)and memory management, for example. The form of the computer-readablemedium 1030 and language of the program 1032 are understood to beappropriate for and functionally cooperate with the computer system1000.

Moreover, variations of computer system 1000 may be adapted to providethe physical elements of one or more components comprising each firstdevice 110, dosage device 104 (more specifically, the control base 106),dosing system 120, database 118, the switches, routers and such othercomponents as may be desired and appropriate for the methods and systemsfor determining an appropriate dose of a product as set forth above.

Changes may be made in the above methods, systems and structures withoutdeparting from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the mattercontained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanyingdrawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. Indeed, many other embodiments are feasible and possible, as willbe evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The claims that followare not limited by or to the embodiments discussed herein, but arelimited solely by their terms and the Doctrine of Equivalents.

What is claimed:
 1. A multi-modal product dosing system, comprising: adosing device characterized by; a control base having a control systemto detect and control a cartridge temporarily coupled to the controlbase, the control system further utilizing a wireless receiver forcommunication with at least one remote computing device; one of aplurality of different product cartridges, each cartridge having areservoir of product, the product having at least one constituent, atleast two cartridges having different modality of delivering a knownquantity of product to a user upon activation by the control system ofthe control base, each cartridge having at least one identifier touniquely identify the cartridge and the product within the reservoir,each cartridge having a lockout device preventing dispensation of theproduct within the reservoir unless the cartridge is coupled to thecontrol base and the cartridge is activated to dispense by the controlsystem of the control base; a remote database characterized by; userdata for each user known to the database; control base data for each ofthe control bases as related to at least one user known to the database;product data correlated to one or more identifiers known to thedatabase, the at least one identifiers further correlated to one or moreof the plurality of different cartridges; wherein authorization for thecontrol base to activate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto isbased at least in part on the wireless exchange of information betweenthe dosing device and the remote database to perform a review of thedatabase to determine that the user requesting a dose of product isauthorized to receive a dose of the product, the review of the databaseincluding a review of other cartridges associated with the user to avoidoverdose of the at least one constituent of the product provided by thecartridge coupled to the control base.
 2. The system of claim 1, furtherincluding an application installed upon a first portable computingdevice controlled by the user, the first portable computing device beingone of the at least one remote computing devices in communication withthe control system of the control base and the remote database.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein authorization for the control base toactivate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is at least partiallyconditioned by the database having record of the user having aprescription.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein authorization for thecontrol base to activate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is atleast partially conditioned by the database having record of asufficient time laps since the last dosage to the user of any productsharing one or more of the at least one constituent of the productwithin the cartridge temporarily coupled to the control base.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein authorization for the control base toactivate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is at least partiallyconditioned by the user requesting the dosage making such a request inaccordance with at least one element selected from the group consistingof: the user's location, the user being authorized to receive the dose,the user requesting the dose at an approved time, the user requestingthe dose within an approved time window, the user being an authorizeduser of the dosing device, the user being a registered owner of thecartridge.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmission of thecartridge identification information and each dosing event permits theat least one remote computing device to capture a user's dosing historyacross a plurality of dosing cartridges.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the captured user's dosing history permits usage tracking of atleast one constituent of the dosed product across different modalitiesof delivery.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofcartridges has at least one opening from which the product is dispensedto the user upon direction from the control system of the control base,the cartridge having an internal conduit between the reservoir and theat least one opening, the conduit separate from the control base.
 9. Amulti-modal product dosing system, characterized by a control basecoupled to one of a plurality of different cartridges, at least twocartridges having different modalities of delivery, the control basecomprising: a housing at least partially enclosing: a cartridge receiverstructured and arranged to temporarily engage one of the plurality ofdifferent cartridges; a cartridge reader structured and arranged to readidentification information from the engaged cartridge; a wirelesstransceiver structured and arranged for wireless communication with atleast one remote computing device; at least one lockout deactivatorstructured and arranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanism ofthe engaged cartridge received by the cartridge receiver; and acontroller structured and arranged to: receive the cartridgeidentification information from the cartridge reader; detect a dosingevent; and communicate, by the wireless transceiver, the cartridgeidentification information and each detected dosing event to the atleast one remote computing device.
 10. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising at least one database provided by at least one of the remotecomputing devices, the database further comprising; user data for eachuser known to the database; control base data for each control base asrelated to at least one user known to the database; and product datacorrelated to one or more unique identifiers known to the database, theone or more unique identifiers further correlated to one or more of theplurality of different cartridges, the database permitting correlationof the user data to the control base data and the product data to permittracking of each product by each user and the product provided by eachcartridge; wherein the database further provides at least one operationto add a new user and/or product data to the database.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the transmission of the cartridge identificationinformation and each dosing event permits the at least one remotecomputing device to capture a user's dosing history across a pluralityof dosing cartridges.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the captureduser's dosing history permits usage tracking of at least one constituentof the dosed product across different modalities of delivery.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the controller is further structured andarranged to control the at least one lockout deactivator, the at leastone lockout deactivator activated in accordance with at least thecartridge identification information received from the cartridge reader.14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one lockout deactivatoris activated in accordance with information received from the at leastone remote computing device.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein thecartridge received by the control base is selected from a groupconsisting of: an inhalation cartridge, a topical spray cartridge, atopical liquid dropper, a strip delivery cartridge, a topical gelcartridge, a tablet cartridge, and an injection cartridge.
 16. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein authorization for the control base toactivate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is at least partiallyconditioned by the user requesting the dosage making such a request inaccordance with at least one element selected from the group consistingof: the user's location, the user being authorized to receive the dose,the user requesting the dose at an approved time, the user requestingthe dose within an approved time window, the user being an authorizeduser of the dosing device, the user being a registered owner of thecartridge.
 17. A control base for a multi-modal product dosing systemcharacterized by the control base coupled to one of a plurality ofdifferent cartridges, at least two cartridges having differentmodalities of delivery, the control base comprising: a housing at leastpartially enclosing: a cartridge receiver structured and arranged totemporarily engage one of the plurality of different cartridges; acartridge reader structured and arranged to read identificationinformation from the engaged cartridge; at least one lockout deactivatorstructured and arranged to disengage at least one lockout mechanism ofthe engaged cartridge received by the cartridge receiver; at least oneelectrical contact to provide power to a temporarily engaged cartridge;and a controller structured and arranged to: receive the cartridgeidentification information from the cartridge reader; detect a dosingevent; and communicate, by a wireless transceiver, the cartridgeidentification information and each detected dosing event to at leastone remote computing device.
 18. The control base of claim 17, furtherincluding an application installed upon a first portable computingdevice controlled by the user, the first portable computing device beingone of the at least one remote computing devices in communication withthe control system of the control base and the remote database.
 19. Thecontrol base of claim 17, wherein authorization for the control base toactivate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is at least partiallyconditioned by the database having record of the user having aprescription.
 20. The control base of claim 17, wherein authorizationfor the control base to activate the cartridge temporarily coupledthereto is at least partially conditioned by the database having recordof a sufficient time laps since the last dosage to the user of anyproduct sharing one or more of the at least one constituent of theproduct within the cartridge temporarily coupled to the control base.21. The control base of claim 17, wherein authorization for the controlbase to activate the cartridge temporarily coupled thereto is at leastpartially conditioned by the user requesting the dosage making such arequest in accordance with at least one element selected from the groupconsisting of: the user's location, the user being authorized to receivethe dose, the user requesting the dose at an approved time, the userrequesting the dose within an approved time window, the user being anauthorized user of the dosing device, the user being a registered ownerof the cartridge.
 22. The control base of claim 17, wherein thetransmission of the cartridge identification information and each dosingevent permits the at least one remote computing device to capture auser's dosing history across a plurality of dosing cartridges.
 23. Thecontrol base of claim 22, wherein the captured user's dosing historypermits usage tracking of at least one constituent of the dosed productacross different modalities of delivery.
 24. The control base of claim17, wherein each of the plurality of cartridges has at least one openingfrom which the product is dispensed to the user upon direction from thecontrol system of the control base, the cartridge having an internalconduit between the reservoir and the at least one opening, the conduitseparate from the control base.